During a group meeting Jack, a patient, shares his fears around his impending discharge. The most appropriate response for the group leader would be?

Choice A Reason:

To provide support for the patient is not appropriate. While providing support is important in therapeutic communication, the nurse's statement is more focused on bringing attention to an inconsistency rather than offering direct emotional support.

Choice B Reason:

To redirect the patient to an important idea is not appropriate. The nurse's statement is not aimed at redirecting the patient to a specific idea. Instead, it's about highlighting a potential incongruence between the patient's verbal and nonverbal expressions.

Choice C Reason:

To provide a suggestion for coping strategies is not appropriate. The nurse's statement is not directly offering suggestions for coping strategies. It is more focused on helping the patient recognize and explore the discrepancy in their expressed emotions.

Choice D Reasons:

To bring inconsistencies into awareness is appropriate. This therapeutic communication technique is aimed at helping the patient recognize and explore any inconsistencies between their verbal and nonverbal expressions. By pointing out the discrepancy between the patient's statement of feeling sad and the observed behavior of smiling, the nurse encourages the patient to reflect on and explore their emotions more deeply. This can contribute to increased self-awareness and a better understanding of the patient's emotional state.

Choice A Reason:

This response is dismissive and invalidates the son's feelings of guilt. It does not acknowledge or address his emotional distress. Providing false reassurance and shifting focus to work is not therapeutic.

Choice B Reason:

This response reflects therapeutic communication. It validates the son’s feelings by acknowledging his guilt and encourages him to express his emotions. Reflective listening allows the nurse to build trust and support the son in processing his emotions.

Choice C Reason:

Asking "Why" can feel accusatory or judgmental, making the son defensive. While the statement attempts to provide reassurance, it fails to address his emotional state and may shut down further communication.

Choice D Reason:

Although this response provides some reassurance and normalization, it minimizes the son's emotions by focusing on generalizations. It lacks the reflective quality necessary for therapeutic communication in this situation.